I earnestly repent for becoming more and more rude as time goes by.

@realdonaldtrump: “After consultation with our Great Military Leaders, designers, and others, I am pleased to present the new logo for the United States Space Force, the Sixth Branch of our Magnificent Military.”

Plagiarized from Joannie: “140 tweets yesterday? If this person worked for me, I would fire him. Oh, wait, he does work for me.”

Normally, all an employer has to do is show just cause and give notice. I pretty much think we’ve done that.

I am auditing a wonderful class at Willamette this term. (Lots more about this will appear on the blog during the term.)

At our first meeting this morning, we were asked to print on a card and place it in front of us whatever we want to be called along with our “pronoun choices.” My choices are “any singular pronoun.” At this point in my life, I am more concerned with grammar than with gender. For example, please do not say, “Jean has terrible ideas so I am not interested in anything they have to say.”

The class is made up of 20 very bright and engaging 18-20 year olds. “Auditing” means I just get to sit and listen to their wonderful ideas and cut class on exam days. Well, the class is at 8 a.m., so there were not many wonderful ideas before they had finished their thermal cups and were sufficient caffeinated.

I observed some things I wish I had not. I think most of their kindergarten teachers failed to show them a good way to hold their pencils. And someone failed to teach a couple of them that possessive pronouns to not have apostrophes, i.e. “her’s.” Not my job. Prof. Gutterman is not concerned with such minutiae either.

I am always moved by this sculpture and loved explaining the metaphor to my Citizenship students: Dr. King’s work is not done. Black people are still stuck.

In two landmark decisions, Engel v. Vitale (1962) and Abington School District v. Schempp, it was judged that while students may  pray in public schools, the lawsuit disallowed schools from including prayer or listening to a scripture reading as a compulsory activity required of every student.

“Yesterday, in a bid to solidify his evangelical base, President Donald Trump took steps to give religious organizations easier access to federal programs and he reaffirmed students’ rights to pray in public schools.”

I did a lot of praying in public schools when I was a student. “Dear Lord, please help me do well on this test,” etc. I wonder if Trump’s move will make it possible for Muslim children to take prayer rugs to school and pray in class at the appointed times. Will readings from the Torah or Koran be a part of the school day?

LL